The University of Washington's commitment over the years has progressively been reinforced with the establishment of the Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee (ESAC), which develops policy recommendations to the administration; signing of the President's Climate Commitment for higher education institutions, which commits the University to a joint effort between academia and operations to achieve carbon neutrality; and development of the Climate Action Plan, which commits the University to climate neutrality by 2050.  State legal mandates require publically funded new or major remodeled buildings to meet a minimum LEED Silver Certification level and report energy and water use for all UW buildings to the EPA's Energy Star Portfolio Reporting Program.

The University of Washington is a member of the US Green Building Council (USGBC), which develops and administers the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Program.  The UW's LEED efforts include new construction and major renovations, core and shell, commercial interiors, and specific applications such as multiple buildings/campuses, and strives to maintain these standards in operations and maintenance, health care, and laboratories.  Benefits of USGBC membership, available to all UW employees, include discounts on conferences, publications, and workshops.  The UW's member contact with USGBC is Clara Simon, simonch@uw.edu.

Global Warming Commitment and Reducing Building Greenhouse Gases

"Climate change is one of the most significant challenges of our time, and the scientific consensus is that most of the observed global warming in temperatures over the last 50 years is likely to have been due to the human-induced increase in greenhouse gas concentrations... Recognizing that leadership is fundamental to ensure a legacy for the future and to protect the healthy and safe learning and working environments valued by the UW, we look forward to working to promote the community-wide goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

Links

• American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC)
• University of Washington's Climate Action Plan
• University of Washington Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee (ESAC)
• Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 39.35.D - High-Performance Public Buildings